Madhu Jain retrospective in Mumbai

25 years of keeping Indian craft in fashion deserves a flashback

For 25 years, designer Madhu Jain has consistently worked to revive and sustain Indian craftsmanship within fashion. She is credited with reintroducing Dhaka muslin into the Indian consciousness, and forcing consumers of high fashion to take a serious look at ikkat, kalamkari and nakshikantha.

To celebrate Jain’s contribution designer boutique Ensemble is hosting a retrospective of her work today in Mumbai, in collaboration with Jehangir Art Gallery, which has also completed a milestone 60 years of promoting art. The preview will be held for one day only at the Lion’s Gate store, and will be available for viewing from 11 am onwards.

Jain admits it was difficult selecting the 70 pieces that will be on display as part of the retrospective. "I don’t take on too many projects, and therefore each one becomes like my baby. I have curated the entire showing myself, making sure to include a representation of all the crafts I’ve worked with over the years," Jain says.

Jain has created a special section of about 15 garments that showcase her current work with mastercraftsmen in the fields of kalamkari and ikkat from Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Apart from garments, a collection of carpets she’d designed on the request of Maneka Gandhi for People for the Ethical Treatment Of Animals is also being prepped for the show.